A second person said Ms Longstaff and her partner "were arguing", adding: "This is what (the) concierge told us willingly."

A third passenger said he and his wife had occupied the cabin above hers at the rear of the ship.

"When the incident was reported by the Captain, he said that an area in the middle of deck seven had been sealed off," the man said.

"When getting off the boat, seven hours late, a number of passengers were saying there had been a midnight dispute among the Longstaff party."

Norwegian Star crew member Daniel Punch also disputed Ms Longstaff's claim she fell accidentally, writing a Facebook post stating she had "jumped" and had been "arguing with her fella the whole time," the Daily Mail reported.